Hoblyn the Hobgoblins

Types of Hobgoblin Green-Hobs: Notes: The Green-Hobs, with their distinctive gray-green skin that darkens to a mossy green in the sun, represent the standard and most widespread culture among the hobgoblin race. Their fiery orange or red eyes are characteristic of their kind. Green-Hobs are known for their adaptability and generalist approach to life, making them the iconic example of hobgoblin culture in the eyes of many. They thrive in a militaristic and hierarchical society, where personal merit and military training play pivotal roles in their advancement. Green-Hobs tend to view other races as tools or potential sources of labor, much like their broader hobgoblin society. They have little love or trust for outsiders and often rely on stolen labor through enslavement. While they are ambitious and envious, Green-Hobs understand the value of unity and discipline in battle, putting aside petty differences when facing external threats. Their loyalty to their communities is unwavering, and they excel in martial classes, particularly as cavaliers, fighters, monks, and rogues. Type: Humanoid (goblinoid) Size: Medium Speed: Normal Language Group: Standard Starting Language: Goblin Ability Scores: Flexible: +2 Dex, +2 Con Racial Traits: Dark Vision 60 ft, Sneaky Blue-Hobs: Notes: The Blue-Hobs, characterized by their blue-grey skin that deepens to a blue-black hue with sun exposure, represent a significant faction among hobgoblins, often considered the second largest group. They pride themselves on being the erudite and tactical thinkers of hobgoblin society. Unlike many of their kin, Blue-Hobs have a lesser distrust for magic and occult powers, seeing them as valuable tools rather than something to be feared. However, this does not diminish their inherent cruelty or evil nature. What sets Blue-Hobs apart is their twisted enjoyment of mental games and torment. They are known for their psychopathic tendencies, deriving pleasure from inflicting mental anguish and suffering on others. This sadistic streak, combined with their tactical acumen, makes them formidable adversaries on and off the battlefield. While they may engage in psychological manipulation and torment in preferance to the physical, they are still firmly aligned with the darker aspects of hobgoblin culture, and their cruelty knows no bounds. Type: Humanoid (goblinoid) Size: Medium Speed: Normal Language Group: Standard Starting Language: Goblin Ability Scores: Flexible: +2 Int, +2 Con Racial Traits: Dark Vision 60 ft, Arcane Focus, Pride, Spell like ability Lesser: Detect magic, Weapon Familarity: (Scourge & Barbed Spear) Red-Hobs: Notes: Red-Hobs are a prominent faction among the hobgoblins, especially concentrated in the eastern regions. They are often regarded as the most honorable of hobgoblins, adhering rigidly to their beliefs and principles. However, their honor is still deeply intertwined with the practices of slavery and conquest. What sets them apart is their unwavering caste system, which is both immobile and immutable. In the Red-Hob caste system, those at the top include Mounted Warriors of all kinds, Infantry Archers, Footmen, and Siege Engineers. These individuals hold the highest status and are revered for their martial prowess. Following them are Assassins, Priests, Artisans, Commoners, Arcane Spell Casters, Merchants, Warrior Slaves, Worker-Slaves, and at the very bottom, farmer-Slaves. This hierarchy is strictly adhered to, and any deviation is considered a grave offense. Red-Hobs have a particular fondness for war beasts and mounted combat whenever possible. They believe that the quality and ferocity of the war beasts under their command reflect their social status. As such, they train and command these creatures more frequently than other hobgoblin groups. While their honor and adherence to tradition are notable, it's important to remember that their sense of honor is deeply intertwined with practices that many find abhorrent. Type: Humanoid (goblinoid) Size: Medium Speed: Normal Language Group: Xenophobic Starting Language: Goblin Ability Scores: Standard +2 Wis, +2 con, -2 Int Racial Traits: Dark Vision 60 ft, Sneaky Rider, Animal-Minded Grey-Hobs: Notes: Grey-Hobs, with their dark grey skin that lightens and pales with exposure to the sun, are predominantly found in mountainous regions, especially underground. Despite their distinctiveness, they are just as evil and cruel as any other hobgoblin culture. What sets Grey-Hobs apart is their abandonment of the traditional hobgoblin goal of conquest in favor of a mercenary culture that sells their violence to the highest bidders. Grey-Hobs are often considered the most greedy of the hobgoblins. They have an insatiable desire for wealth and material gain, which drives their mercenary lifestyle. However, this greed also makes them grudgingly trusted by their kin, as their skills as heavy footmen and shock troopers are highly valued. They are known for their loyalty to whoever pays the price for their service, whether it be in the form of wealth, food, or housing. These hobgoblins are commonly found as warrior slaves to various underground-dwelling races such as Swartalflar. Grey-Hobs seem content to serve as long as they receive compensation and are allowed to engage in battle, even if it's as slaves. This unique trait makes them popular servants for both underground and above-ground factions, making them versatile and valuable assets in conflicts and wars. Type: Humanoid (goblinoid) Size: Medium Speed: Normal Language Group: Standard Starting Language: Goblin Ability Scores: Specialized: +2 Str, +2 Con, -2 Dex Racial Traits: Minesight, Greed, Hardy, Stuborn, Nocturnal Orange-Hobs: Notes: Orange-Hobs, considered by many to be the oldest group of hobgoblins, exhibit distinctive traits that set them apart. Their orange-red skin and noticeable sexual dimorphism, with males being larger and displaying bright blue, purple, or red noses, make them unique among hobgoblins. Unlike their kin, exposure to the sun has little to no effect on their skin tone. While most hobgoblin cultures have embraced heavy armor, siege weaponry, and modern elements of warfare, Orange-Hobs reject these advancements. Instead, they cling to the traditions of being lightning-fast raiders and riders, striking swiftly and fading away before retaliation can occur. Mobility is at the core of their strategy, and they excel as nomadic raiders. Orange-Hobs favor swift mounts and light armor, prioritizing speed over defensive measures. They have a reputation for rarely taking slaves or prisoners if it would slow down their nomadic travels. This makes them particularly ruthless when it comes to achieving their goals. The Orange-Hobs are also known for their deeply sexist society, with males occupying most martial roles and females relegated to positions as spellcasters, healers, and gatherers. Despite their nomadic lifestyle, some Orange-Hob groups establish semi-nomadic settlements with small fortified cities. Additionally, they can be found in the cities of other goblinoids, orcs, ogres, and other evil folk, either as mercenaries or selling their ill-gotten loot. They have long standing blood fueds against Elves and Dwarves having clashed with both in many bitter conlficts since before recorded history. One notable tribe of Orange-Hobs in the Broken Isles has taken to a life of piracy, terrorizing the seas with their swift ships, akin to worgs riders of the ocean. Type: Humanoid (goblinoid) Size: Medium Speed: Normal Language Group: Standard Starting Language: Goblin Ability Scores: Specialized: +2 Dex, +2 Con, -2 Cha Racial Traits: Dark Vision 60 ft, Stalker, Silent Hunter, Fleet-footed, (Hatred: Dwarf & Elf) Tan-Hobs: Notes: Tan-Hobs, distinguished by their slightly taller and less barrel-chested physique, possess yellow and tan skin that darkens when exposed to the sun or grows paler when exposed to prolonged darkness. These hobgoblins are primarily found in tropical and sub-tropical climates living underground and building nightmarish cavern monestaries, where they pose a significant threat to anyone who crosses their path. Once wrongly mistaken for half-goblins, a grave insult in their eyes, Tan-Hobs are now recognized as a unique and formidable faction among hobgoblins. They have a semi-nomadic lifestyle, characterized by the rule of martial mystics who view violence and war as a path to enlightenment. These cruel monks hold the highest positions of authority within Tan-Hob society. Below the martial mystics are warrior-priests, warrior-mages, and other individuals who emphasize martial combat in their way of life. Those who cannot or do not embrace martial combat to some degree are considered to be just barely above slaves in Tan-Hob society. The strict hierarchy and focus on martial prowess make them a formidable and disciplined group within the hobgoblin culture. Type: Humanoid (goblinoid) Size: Medium Speed: Normal Language Group: Standard Starting Language: Goblin Ability Scores: Standard: +2 Wis, +2 Dex, -2 int Racial Traits: Low-Light Vision, Sneaky, Desert Runner, Cave Dweller

(all art Images provided by Midjourny)